[Miata] Autox weekend

[the.jack]

	Had a lot of seat time this weekend. Yesterday did a "school" event for novices - though I that was my fifth event ever,
that's over almost a decade!
	First we had a long curve followed by a deep threshold braking exercise. We ran that four or five times, then that same
shot, but this time with a tight 90* turn. Then we hit a skidpad (I don't know the diameter, <100ft though) for a nearly 1080 three
times CCW, then we switched to CW. Finally a nice, tight slalom. Then they moved about 5% of the setup and made a course out of it.
	The day was cool and there was some sun, but it was dry and the Miata loved it. At first I thought the Hankooks were
uncommunicative and I wouldn't know they were letting go until my direction changed abruptly. Turns out I just wasn't pushing
enough. When I finally did they'd squeal a little and still had a very shallow progression to control loss. Every run you had an
instructor and they were commenting on how strong the Miata ran, how great the brakes and how grippy the tires were. I happen to
agree. With the new brake fluid the Ultimates were really grabbing and very easily modulated. I was like a different driver this
year compared with last, confident and aggressive enough to actually score some almost respectable times for a noob.
	Today was, however, rainy and despite the Hankooks doing quite well, I couldn't hit my wiper blades lest I remove my number.
So right before I was staged I'd jump out, rip a wiper off and squeegie my windshield. Unfortunately it was pretty unclear fairly
quickly. I could certainly see, but it was a distraction. I did my two work groups and only did one run; by the time the fourth heat
was set there were pools of water and my times weren't improving anyway (plus the car and I were quite wet as a I can't fit with the
top up and a helmet on).
	Even still it was a good time and I learned a lot. I look forward to our Test&Tune June 2nd followed by Event 2 on the 3rd
:)
	I can put one of the videos my wife took of me up on the web, though frankly the car was so quiet (tires and exhaust) and
the time was upper-mid-pack, so it's rather boring :/ No my in-laws want me to get an exhaust so I make some noise on the course...
I'm not arguing :D

Chris C.
99 Mazda Miata 5-sp Emerald